New PRO-7 Chief says: Hotspot tag a challenge

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 vowed to double its accomplishments when it comes to the campaign against all forms of illegal drugs.

New Philippine National Police Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, said he takes the label of drug hotspot as a challenge to do better in drug accomplishments.

Espino took over from former regional director Noli Taliño, who was promoted to Director for Human Resources Development in Camp Crame.

Just recently in one of his speeches, President Rodrigo Duterte called Cebu a drug hotspot, stemming from the number top drug lords who were arrested or killed in police operations.

“Patuloy pa rin ang ating kampanya kontra sa druga… it is now a challenge for me. It is a challenge sa aking leadership,” Espino said.

Based on the records, during Oplan Double Barrel from July 1, 2016 to January 30, 2017 and March 1, 2017 to June 27, 2017, a total of 5,303 operations were conducted. A total of 108,621 persons surrendered, 9,177 drug personalities were arrested, while 183 died in police operations.

A total of 34,734.33 grams of suspected shabu worth P409,865,094 was confiscated.

Right after the ceremonial turnover of positions, PRO-7 called for a command conference to echo the guiding principle of the new director.

During the conference, the new regional director stressed that policemen have to be constantly reminded of the ABCDs which meant “Always Busy Catching Criminals and Drug lords.”

Cebu City Police Office spokesman Chief Inspector Ramoncelio Sawan said that city policemen are always finding ways to improve methods during anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“Always man nakapangita ang city to double accomplishments when it comes to illegal drugs, even without the declaration we will still better our campaign, we are one with him,” Sawan said.

The regional director previously said that even if there will be no major revamp in terms of leadership of directors and other staff, policemen in Central Visayas should not be too complacent in meeting the requirements he will set for accomplishments. (FREEMAN)